Leading professional advisory firm Broomfield & Alexander, which has a branch in Newport, is celebrating its second consecutive year as the most active corporate finance advisor in Wales, according to a survey by data specialist Experian.

Topping the Experian MarketIQ report for 2016 with 16 accredited deals, the team has completed the most transactions in its history in a single year, handling sales and acquisition transactions both in Wales and overseas with buyers and sellers from China and the US with support from colleagues at Baker Tilly International.

According to the report, 227 deals were recorded in Wales last year, a 22 per cent increase on the 185 announced for 2015, making it the first time Welsh deals have topped the 200 mark across its ten year review of the sector.

Seamus Gates, corporate finance director at Broomfield & Alexander, said: "Our Corporate Finance department has experienced steady growth over the last seven years, reflecting the recovery in the transaction market following the recession of 2008.

“We’re keen to expand our corporate finance services across south Wales, which involves a strong focus on the development of the team.

“Recruitment of new staff, like our recent addition of ACCA qualified Charlotte Mancuso, together with our well-established Welsh Government funding specialist, Mike Fenwick, will ensure that we can provide the best service, advice and experience to our clients.”

Broomfield & Alexander has a client base which is reflective of the wide range of businesses across Wales. The last 12 months has seen opportunities across a range of sectors, with varying sizes of clients for both acquisitions and exits.

Katherine Broadhurst, manager of the corporate finance team, said: “I am excited to grow the team and our geographic reach as we move forward and build on our many successes into 2017.

“Our pipeline projects for this year are reflective of our overall growth as a team and firm, demonstrating the resilience of the SME market in Wales.”